For Kostas Tsimikas, the 2020-21 season was a tough introduction to English football. Having joined Liverpool from Olympiakos for £11.75million he struggled to adapt and made only seven appearances in all competitions. This included just six minutes of Premier League action.
There were mitigating circumstances for the Greek left-back. He contracted Covid-19 and then struggled with thigh and knee injuries during the first half of the season. By the time he was fit the Reds were crumbling around him, riddled with defensive injuries that saw Liverpool try 20 different centre-back combinations across the campaign.
Despite the sheer number of casualties in their back line Andy Robertson stayed fit and racked up 50 appearances. He was an ever-present in the Premier League. Jurgen Klopp was reluctant to rotate his full-back options due to the instability elsewhere and the jury was still out on Tsimikas ahead of this campaign.
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He started the first game of the season against Norwich City after Robertson picked up an ankle injury in pre-season. The ‘Greek scouser’, as he has become known, has impressed whenever called upon. He has made 21 appearances and provided six assists. Tsimikas now looks the part and is playing with a confidence that has rewarded Klopp’s unwavering faith in him after a difficult debut campaign. He has eased the burden on Robertson and has provided a thrust and attacking outlet down the left-hand side.
Wednesday’s man of the match display against Benfica was another example of this. His two assists were examples of his pinpoint delivery. Ibrahima Konate headed in the first goal from a Tsimikas corner and Roberto Firmino volleyed home the Greek’s delicious cross from a free kick in the second half.
The left-back had 103 touches as he used the ball efficiently - only Konate had more. His match-high 15 crosses was clear of James Milner’s four in second place and Tsimikas created twice as many chances as anyone else on the pitch with four. He was also fouled five times – the most of any Liverpool player. His ability to link up with Jota and subsequently Mane ensured he was a real thorn in the Benfica right side all evening.
Although he was occasionally defensively vulnerable particularly as the Reds’ back four didn’t always execute their high line effectively, it was a valuable night for Tsimikas. It was further evidence to Klopp that he can depend on the full back in big games. The left back is likely to have a role to play in the run-in at some point as the fixtures come thick and fast – there are potentially 12 games in the next 42 days for the Reds.
Whatever happens Tsimikas can take heart from the 2021-22 season as a year in which he demonstrated his quality and showed Klopp he could be trusted.
